Built on swamp, Venice is a city of canals and cathedrals which draws tourists from around the world. It has a population of approximately 330,000, about the size of Buffalo, New York. It is a city in which the major forms of transportation, and, in fact, almost the only one, aare boats called gondolas or vaporettos. Some of the sites in Veniceare Madonna dell'Orto, Basilica di San Marco, Santa Maria dell'Assunta, Santa Maria del Salute, Rialto Bridge, The Grand Canal, The Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, The Palazzo Ducale, Accademia, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and
The Madonna dell'Orto is open from daily. It was created around the year of 1350. It has two interesting pictures by Tintoretto in it: one is the Last Judgment , which is a very violent picture, and the other is the Adoration of the Golden Calf, which has a picture of the artist painted into it like many other Renaissance pictures do. Tintoretto and his children are buried in the chapel at Madonna dell'Orto.
The Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark's) is the most famous building in Venice. Built to honor the apostle, Mark, the walls and ceilings are adorned with great art. There are more then 43,000 feet of gold mosaics. The Pala d'oro has 250 gold plated paintings and is covered with precious gems including 1,300 pearls, 400 garnets, 90 rubies, 300 emeralds, 90 amethysts,and 300 sapphires. Saint Mark's body, which was lost after a fire in 976, miraculously reappeared a century later and is stored in alcove. The Basilica's roof glimmers with ornate statues of bronze and gold. The best time to experience San Marco is during a high mass when the ceremony brings the church to life. It can be toured daily and some tours are conducted in English.
The square in front of the basilica is a popular spot for tourists and locals. It is a large plaza on the waters edge that is the most dramatic spot along the canal. A seawall protects the square which has sunken below water level.
A romantic way to tour Venice is aboard a gondola at sunset. As you travel down the Grand Canal, you sail past the great churches and simple homes of the Venetians. The trip takes you beneath many bridges that connect the neighborhoods of Venice, including the most famous, the Rialto Bridge .
Santa Maria dell'Assunta is the oldest building in all of Venice. It is located on theisland of Torcello and was built in 639. This simple church has medieval mosaics of the Madonna and the Last Judgment and the relics of Saint Heliodrorus. Attached is Santa Fosca a church built in a Byzantine design. The simplicity of these churches blends with
the lifestyle of people on Torcello, a quiet peaceful island that has declined since malaria ravaged its population in the 16th century. Near the churches you will find a throne used by Atilla the Hun. Ferries leave the main island to Torcello regularly and Santa Maria dell'Assunta is open daily.
Santa Maria della Salute is one of the most impressive sites in Venice. It was first created by Baldassare Longhena. It was finished five years after he died.The Santa Maria della Salute has a very earthly elegance to it. From the main door the two things that are the most noticeable are the chancel and the high altar.
Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is a major site in the eastern part of Venice called San Polo. It has a painting by Titian called the assumption of the Virgin. Another great piece of art in Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is Madonna and Child painted by Bellini in 1488.
Yet another major site in Venice is the Palazzo Ducale. There are 3 things to see here. One is the Giant's Staircase made in the 15th century by Sansovino has statues of Mars and Neptune representing Venice's power. Another major thing in the Palazzo Ducale is the Sala del Maggior Consiglio which was a meeting place for Venice's Great Council. There is a picture called Paradise painted by Tintoretto's. Porta della Carta is the third of the major sites in Palazzo Ducale. This is the main entrance to the palace.
Accademia is well known because it has an extremely varied line of artwork. It has medieval, baroque, and Renaissance artwork. It is also a monument to Napoleon's greed because he plundered many other museums and churches to establish the collection at Accademia. Accademia was founded in honor of San Rocco (St. Roch), who dedicated his life to helping the sick. Construction began in 1515 by Bartolomeo Bon. In 1564 the members of the school decided to get Tintoretto to decorate the building. On the ground floor is a set of 8 paintings by Tintoretto dedicated to the life of Mary. The ceiling of the upper floor has three scenes from the old testament: Moses Strikes Water from the Rock, The Miracle of the Bronze serpent, and The Fall of Mana in the desert. These were showing the alleviation of thirst, sickness, and hunger respectively. A tour through the museum will demonstrate the wealth that Venice built during the Renaissance.
The City of Venice has a history as a naval power and controlled an empire that included the part of the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea. Its glory lingers in the buildings and art that are found throughout Venice. But it is the canals that are the streets and boulevards of this city that have made it one of the truly unique places in the world.
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